Bay Area youth coach, charged with ongoing sexual abuse of a minor, takes 15-year plea deal

San Jose Mercury News - 7/29/2020

Jul. 29--MARTINEZ -- A former youth sports coach in Solano County will serve 15 years in state prison as part of a plea deal to settle a 32-count child sex abuse case, prosecutors said.

Suisun City resident Paul Fielder, 61, pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to sexual abuse of a child less than 14 years old in exchange for the 15-year sentence. He faced life if convicted at trial on all charges.

Fielder was arrested last year after arranging to meet with an undercover officer who was posing as a minor. Authorities say Fielder arranged for a sexual rendezvous, and showed up for the meeting in Contra Costa County.

When authorities interviewed children who'd interacted with Fielder, they discovered he'd been molesting a child for years on end. Authorities have not commented publicly on how Fielder and the victim knew one another.

Authorities say Fielder had coached youth sports in Solano County and was employed by at least one high school as a campus supervisor.

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